One of the most influential but mysterious figures of the past 20 years will balance some of the testosterone on offer with the Pixies at Vivid Live this year.

Lauryn Hill, part of the multinational hip-hop group the Fugees then a groundbreaking soul artist with her debut solo album, will make her Australian debut at the Sydney Opera House in May. She will also play Melbourne's Palais Theatre on May 21.

Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill not only sold 8 million copies but became a template for a generation of female artists worldwide, with its spirited and fiercely intelligent lyrics about sexual politics, race, independence and spirituality.

Advertisement

''Listen to the music and think 'if it was released today, would people buy it?' Boy, would they,'' Vivid Live director Fergus Linehan says.

There will be a theatrical element to Hill's show, almost a prerequisite for Vivid Live according to Linehan, who is also bringing in the flamboyant shows of St. Vincent, James Vincent McMorrow and Anna Calvi to sit alongside the unlikely figure of ''73-year-old DJ'' and composer Giorgio Moroder.

''It's one thing we talk about a lot at the Opera House - 'do they have a show?','' Linehan says, announcing the last of his Vivid Live programs before becoming director of the Edinburgh Festival. ''There are many people who could fill the concert hall in terms of ticket sales but it's an unforgiving place if you haven't got a show.''

As in recent years, there will be a strong emphasis on electronic music during the festival, which runs from May 23 to June 1.

It will be evident through the events aligned with hip labels and clubs, such as Modular, Future Classic and Goodgod, and a specially curated tour through music from pre-baroque to modern mash-ups when the Australian Chamber Orchestra partners with electronic duo (and former Sydney Conservatorium of Music students) the Presets.

''If it was anyone else but [ACO artistic director Richard] Tognetti, I'd say it was going to be a dog's dinner,'' Linehan says. ''But he always finds these narrative arcs and musical arcs that make sense.''